Privatisation of SAR has been a long time coming and not a surprise to the military. Bristow’s did a sterling job in the Falklands for a number of years and IIRC accidents per flying hours are comparable with other operators to the hostility of the environment.

Bristow’s will bring new aircraft to the table some to be built in the UK. The S92, if it performs to close to what the company presentations envisaged then all is well. SAR crews were suitably impressed with it. It must also be remembered that a great deal of SAR aircraft engineering is already in private hands. I wonder how many military SAR crews will be drafted in to retain experience?

As an aside, SAR was often seen as a rest period away from intense operations such as Afghanistan. I wonder where will these crews wind down yet maintain their skills in the future?